Disinfectant foot baths are used throughout Switzerland to combat foot root. Two effective disinfectants with no undesirable side effects are in use. These were validated as part of studies initiated by the FSVO. Findings from research are needed in order to develop a successful, national programme to combat foot rot. Consequently, the FSVO is financing various studies on foot rot.
Foot rot or infectious pododermatitis is a painful hoof infection that occurs worldwide. Mainly affecting sheep, it causes substantial economic losses.
On 1 October 2024, a national control programme has been launched under the leadership of the FSVO and in cooperation with the most important players in sheep farming.
Antibiotic-free treatment
To develop the best possible strategy to combat foot rot information is needed from various fields of research into foot rot. To this end, the efficiency of control and the methods used are being investigated. If possible, control should be carried out without the use of antibiotics (See the Swiss antibiotic resistance strategy (StAR) ). Careful handling of the sheep is another area of focus. Selected research topics are shown below:
Research projects on foot rot
Which is the ideal foot bath agent against foot rot?
Fighting foot rot without antibiotics?
Is a national control programme worth it?
Which animal species are afflicted with foot rot in Switzerland?
How can one clearly identify the foot rot pathogen in a herd of sheep?
The usual foot bath agents with proven efficacy have considerable disadvantages: some are carcinogenic, making them dangerous when handled by livestock farmers. Other foot bath agents contain heavy metals and have to be disposed of as hazardous waste after the end of treatment. The FSVO is therefore supporting a research project at the University of Bern to identify alternative foot bath agents. These should be effective and able to be used without the above disadvantages.
- As part of a study on the “Efficacy of IntraCare products against foot rot in sheep in Switzerland”, the care product in the form of a spray solution proved effective against foot rot on small-scale sheep farms (ARAMIS ‒ 1.22.03)
- The field validation of novel disinfectant footbath agents in the nationwide Swiss foot rot control programme yielded relevant information on workload and the disinfectant concentrations necessary for treatment. The study demonstrated the products’ efficacy (ARAMIS – 1.19.06)
Both studies show clearly that good biosecurity is important in addition to treatment. Only this guarantees successful eradication of the disease pathogen.
The background to this issue is in the Swiss antibiotic resistance strategy (StAR) (in German). One of its objectives is to reduce the use of antibiotics in animals. The treatment of foot rot supports this objective, as the disease is traditionally treated using foot baths. The baths contain disinfectants and are usually free of antibiotics.
The study at the University of Bern aims to show that foot rot in affected flocks can be eliminated by regular hoof trimming and foot baths. ARAMIS – 1.18.02
The Zurich Polytechnic ETH together with the University of Bern and the Consultative and Health Service for Small Ruminants (CHSR) have examined this question and reached the following conclusion:
Foot rot causes several million francs worth of damage to Swiss farmers every year through recurring treatment costs and fattening losses. Regardless of methodology, a national disease control programme is worthwhile, both financially and for the welfare of sheep. ARAMIS – 15.05
To estimate the dimensions of a national foot rot control programme, we need to understand how frequently and in which species the pathogen occurs.
A large-scale study at the University of Bern tested various domestic and wild ruminants in Switzerland using the new swab test. The results confirm that the disease is widespread in sheep. Foot rot occurs only rarely in other Swiss domestic ruminants (such as cattle, goats and New World camelids) and wild ruminants. ARAMIS – 1.17.05
For a long time, foot rot could only be identified based on clinical symptoms. This meant that the hooves of all sheep had to be examined. The method proved successful but the disease could not always be identified, for example if a sheep was newly infected or had spread the pathogen further without showing symptoms itself.
In a study carried out in the University of Bern, a reliable laboratory test has been developed that enables foot rot to be detected by means of swab samples. A further study also optimised the sampling in sheep herds, such that all samples do not have to be individually examined. ARAMIS - 1.13.04
More Information
Im Detail
The project for preparation of a national campaign to control foot rot in sheep (in German)
Informationen, Artikel und Präsentationen rund um die Vorbereitungsarbeiten für ein nationales Bekämpfungsprogramm gegen die Moderhinke.
Foot rot in sheep (in German)
Information on foot rot in sheep: Articles, videos, technical information and presentations.
Publikationen
Im umfangreichen Schlussbericht der Wirtschaftlichkeitsstudie der ETH, der Universität Bern und des Beratungs- und Gesundheitsdienstes für Kleinwiederkäuer BGK werden die Vorgehensweise, die einzelnen Teilstudien und die Schlussfolgerungen der Kosten-Nutzen-Analyse einer Bekämpfung der Moderhinke in der Schweiz beschrieben. ARAMIS – 15.05
Last modification 06.03.2025
